TIE-2 ligand-4

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a member of the TIE ligand family. The present invention also provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. In addition, the invention provides for a receptorbody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. The invention also provides an antibody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. The invention further provides for an antagonist of TIE. The invention also provides for therapeutic compositions as well as a method of blocking blood vessel growth, a method of promoting neovascularization, a method of promoting the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE receptor, a method of blocking the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE receptor and a method of attenuating or preventing tumor growth in a human.

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/202,491 filed Nov. 16, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,667, which is a national stage application of International Patent Application PCT/US97/10728 filed Jun. 19, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/665,926, filed Jun. 19, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,797; PCT/US97/10728 claims the benefit of Provisional Applications 60/022,999, filed Aug. 2, 1996, and 60/021,087 filed Jul. 2, 1996. The disclosures of these applications are herein specifically incorporated by reference in their entirety.

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of genetic engineering and more particularly to genes for receptor tyrosine kinases and their cognate ligands, their insertion into recombinant DNA vectors, and the production of the encoded proteins in recipient strains of microorganisms and recipient eukaryotic cells. More specifically, the present invention is directed to novel ligands, known as TIE ligand-3 and TIE ligand-4, that bind the TIE-2 receptor, as well as to methods of making and using the novel ligands. The invention further provides nucleic acid sequences encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, methods for the generation of the nucleic acids and the gene products. The novel TIE ligands, as well as nucleic acids encoding them, may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases involving endothelial cells and associated TIE receptors, such as neoplastic diseases involving tumor angiogenesis, wound healing, thromboembolic diseases, atherosclerosis and inflammatory diseases. In addition, the ligands may be used to promote the proliferation and/or differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Biologically active ligands of the invention may be used to promote the growth, survival, migration, and/or differentiation and/or stabilization or destabilization of cells expressing TIE receptor. Biologically active TIE ligands may be used for the in vitro maintenance of TIE receptor expressing cells in culture. Cells and tissues expressing TIE receptor include, for example, cardiac and vascular endothelial cells, lens epithelium and heart epicardium and early hematopoietic cells. Alternatively, such ligands may be used to support cells which are engineered to express TIE receptor. Further, the ligands and their cognate receptors may be used in assay systems to identify agonists or antagonists of the receptor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The cellular behavior responsible for the development, maintenance, and repair of differentiated cells and tissues is regulated, in large part, by intercellular signals conveyed via growth factors and similar ligands and their receptors. The receptors are located on the cell surface of responding cells and they bind peptides or polypeptides known as growth factors as well as other hormone-like ligands. The results of this interaction are rapid biochemical changes in the responding cells, as well as a rapid and a long-term readjustment of cellular gene expression. Several receptors associated with various cell surfaces may bind specific growth factors.

The phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in proteins by tyrosine kinases is one of the key modes by which signals are transduced across the plasma membrane. Several currently known protein tyrosine kinase genes encode transmembrane receptors for polypeptide growth factors and hormones such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), platelet derived growth factors (PDGF-A and -B), and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). (Heldin et al., Cell Regulation, 1: 555-566 (1990); Ullrich, et al., Cell, 61: 243-54 (1990)). In each instance, these growth factors exert their action by binding to the extracellular portion of their cognate receptors, which leads to activation of the intrinsic tyrosine kinase present on the cytoplasmic portion of the receptor. Growth factor receptors of endothelial cells are of particular interest due to the possible involvement of growth factors in several important physiological and pathological processes, such as vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory diseases. (Folkman, et al. Science, 235: 442-447 (1987)). Also, the receptors of several hematopoietic growth factors are tyrosine kinases; these include c-fms, which is the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor, Sherr, et al., Cell, 41: 665-676 (1985), and c-kit, a primitive hematopoietic growth factor receptor reported in Huang, et al., Cell, 63: 225-33 (1990).

The receptor tyrosine kinases have been divided into evolutionary subfamilies based on the characteristic structure of their ectodomains. (Ullrich, et al. Cell, 61: 243-54 (1990)). Such subfamilies include, EGF receptor-like kinase (subclass I) and insulin receptor-like kinase (subclass II), each of which contains repeated homologous cysteine-rich sequences in their extracellular domains. A single cysteine-rich region is also found in the extracellular domains of the eph-like kinases. Hirai, et al., Science, 238: 1717-1720 (1987); Lindberg, et al. Mol. Cell. Biol., 10: 6316-24 (1990); Lhotak, et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 11: 2496-2502 (1991). PDGF receptors as well as c-fms and c-kit receptor tyrosine kinases may be grouped into subclass III; while the FGF receptors form subclass IV. Typical for the members of both of these subclasses are extracellular folding units stabilized by intrachain disulfide bonds. These so-called immunoglobulin (Ig)-like folds are found in the proteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily which contains a wide variety of other cell surface receptors having either cell-bound or soluble ligands. Williams, et al., Ann. Rev. Immunol., 6: 381-405 (1988).

Receptor tyrosine kinases differ in their specificity and affinity. In general, receptor tyrosine kinases are glycoproteins which consist of (1) an extracellular domain capable of binding the specific growth factor(s); (2) a transmembrane domain which usually is an alpha-helical portion of the protein; (3) a juxtamembrane domain where the receptor may be regulated by, e.g., protein phosphorylation; (4) a tyrosine kinase domain which is the enzymatic component of the receptor; and (5) a carboxyterminal tail which in many receptors is involved in recognition and binding of the substrates for the tyrosine kinase.

Processes such as alternative exon splicing and alternative choice of gene promoter or polyadenylation sites have been reported to be capable of producing several distinct polypeptides from the same gene. These polypeptides may or may not contain the various domains listed above. As a consequence, some extracellular domains may be expressed as separate, secreted proteins and some forms of the receptors may lack the tyrosine kinase domain and contain only the extracellular domain inserted in the plasma membrane via the transmembrane domain plus a short carboxyl terminal tail.

A gene encoding an endothelial cell transmembrane tyrosine kinase, originally identified by RT-PCR as an unknown tyrosine kinase-homologous cDNA fragment from human leukemia cells, was described by Partanen, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87: 8913-8917 (1990). This gene and its encoded protein are called “TIE” which is an abbreviation for “tyrosine kinase with Ig and EGF homology domains.” Partanen, et al. Mol. Cell. Biol. 12: 1698-1707 (1992).

It has been reported that tie mRNA is present in all human fetal and mouse embryonic tissues. Upon inspection, tie message has been localized to the cardiac and vascular endothelial cells. Specifically, tie mRNA has been localized to the endothelia of blood vessels and endocardium of 9.5 to 18.5 day old mouse embryos. Enhanced tie expression was shown during neovascularization associated with developing ovarian follicles and granulation tissue in skin wounds. Korhonen, et al. Blood 80: 2548-2555 (1992). Thus the TIEs have been suggested to play a role in angiogenesis, which is important for developing treatments for solid tumors and several other angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, atherosclerosis and arthritis.

Two structurally related rat TIE receptor proteins have been reported to be encoded by distinct genes with related profiles of expression. One gene, termed tie-1, is the rat homolog of human tie. Maisonpierre, et al., Oncogene 8: 1631-1637 (1993). The other gene, tie-2, may be the rat homolog of the murine tek gene which, like tie, has been reported to be expressed in the mouse exclusively in endothelial cells and their presumptive progenitors. Dumont, et al. Oncogene 8: 1293-1301 (1993). The human homolog of tie-2 is described in Ziegler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,860 which issued on Sep. 5, 1995 (wherein it is referred to as “ork”), which is incorporated in its entirety herein.

Both genes were found to be widely expressed in endothelial cells of embryonic and postnatal tissues. Significant levels of tie-2 transcripts were also present in other embryonic cell populations, including lens epithelium, heart epicardium and regions of mesenchyme. Maisonpierre, et al., Oncogene 8: 1631-1637 (1993).

The predominant expression of the TIE receptor in vascular endothelia suggests that TIE plays a role in the development and maintenance of the vascular system. This could include roles in endothelial cell determination, proliferation, differentiation and cell migration and patterning into vascular elements. Analyses of mouse embryos deficient in TIE-2 illustrate its importance in angiogenesis, particularly for vascular network formation in endothelial cells. Sato, T. N., et al., Nature 376:70-74 (1995). In the mature vascular system, the TIEs could function in endothelial cell survival, maintenance and response to pathogenic influences.

The TIE receptors are also expressed in primitive hematopoietic stem cells, B cells and a subset of megakaryocytic cells, thus suggesting the role of ligands which bind these receptors in early hematopoiesis, in the differentiation and/or proliferation of B cells, and in the megakaryocytic differentiation pathway. Iwama, et al. Biochem. Biophys. Research Communications 195:301-309 (1993); Hashiyama, et al. Blood 87:93-101 (1996), Batard, et al. Blood 87:2212-2220 (1996).

Applicants previously identified an angiogenic factor, which was originally called TIE-2 ligand-1 (TL1) but is also referred to as angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), that signals through the TIE-2 receptor and is essential for normal vascular development in the mouse. By homology screening applicants have also identified an Ang1 relative, termed TIE-2 ligand-2 (TL2) or angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), that is a naturally occurring antagonist for Ang1 and the TIE2 receptor. For a description of the cloning and sequencing of TL1 (Ang1) and TL2 (Ang2) as well as for methods of making and uses thereof, reference is hereby made to PCT International Publication No. WO 96/11269 published 18, Apr. 1996 and PCT International Publication No. WO 96/31598 published 10, Oct. 1996 both in the name of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and S. Davis, et al., Cell 87: 1161-1169 (1996) each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The absence of Ang1 causes severe vascular abnormalities in the developing mouse embryo. C. Suri, et al., Cell 87: 1171-1180 (1996). Ang1 and Ang2 provide for naturally occurring positive and negative regulators of angiogenesis. Positive or negative regulation of TIE2 is likely to result in different outcomes depending on the combination of simultaneously acting angiogenic signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a composition comprising TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 substantially free of other proteins. The invention also provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding TIE ligand-3 and an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding TIE ligand-4. The isolated nucleic acid may be DNA, cDNA or RNA. The invention also provides for a vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. The invention further provides for a host-vector system for the production in a suitable host cell of a polypeptide having the biological activity of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. The suitable host cell may be bacterial, yeast, insect or mammalian. The invention also provides for a method of producing a polypeptide having the biological activity of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 which comprises growing cells of the host-vector system under conditions permitting production of the polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide so produced.

The invention herein described of an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 further provides for the development of the ligand, a fragment or derivative thereof, or another molecule which is a receptor agonist or antagonist, as a therapeutic for the treatment of patients suffering from disorders involving cells, tissues or organs which express the TIE receptor. The present invention also provides for an antibody which specifically binds such a therapeutic molecule. The antibody may be monoclonal or polyclonal. The invention also provides for a method of using such a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody to measure the amount of the therapeutic molecule in a sample taken from a patient for purposes of monitoring the course of therapy.

The present invention also provides for an antibody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. The antibody may be monoclonal or polyclonal. Thus the invention further provides for therapeutic compositions comprising an antibody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The invention also provides for a method of blocking blood vessel growth in a mammal by administering an effective amount of a therapeutic composition comprising an antibody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

The invention further provides for therapeutic compositions comprising TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The invention also provides for a method of promoting neovascularization in a patient by administering an effective amount of a therapeutic composition comprising TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. In one embodiment, the method may be used to promote wound healing. In another embodiment, the method may be used to treat ischemia. In yet another embodiment, TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 is used, alone or in combination with other hematopoietic factors, to promote the proliferation or differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, B cells or megakaryocytic cells.

Alternatively, the invention provides that TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may be conjugated to a cytotoxic agent and a therapeutic composition prepared therefrom. The invention further provides for a receptorbody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. The invention further provides for therapeutic compositions comprising a receptorbody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The invention also provides for a method of blocking blood vessel growth in a mammal by administering an effective amount of a therapeutic composition comprising a receptorbody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

The invention also provides for a TIE receptor antagonist as well as a method of inhibiting TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 biological activity in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a TIE antagonist. According to the invention, the antagonist may be the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 as described herein, an antibody or other molecule capable of specifically binding TIE ligand-3, TIE ligand-4 or TIE receptor, or a ligandbody comprising the fibrinogen-like domain of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B—TIE-2 receptorbody (TIE-2 RB) inhibits the development of blood vessels in the embryonic chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). A single piece of resorbable gelatin foam (Gelfoam) soaked with 6 μg of RB was inserted immediately under the CAM of 1-day chick embryos. After 3 further days of incubation, 4 day old embryos and surrounding CAM were removed and examined. FIG. 1A: embryos treated with EHK-1 RB (rEHK-1 ecto/hIgG1 Fc) were viable and possessed normally developed blood vessels in their surrounding CAM. FIG. 1B: all embryos treated with TIE-2 RB (r TIE-2 ecto/h IgG1 Fc) were dead, diminished in size and were almost completely devoid of surrounding blood vessels.

FIG. 2—A schematic representation of the hypothesized role of the TIE-2/TIE ligands in angiogenesis. TL1 is represented by (−), TL2 is represented by (*), TIE-2 is represented by (T), VEGF is represented by ([ ]), and flk-1 (a VEGF receptor) is represented by (Y).

FIG. 3—Diagrammatic representation of the TIE-2 ligands, showing the “coiled coil” and fibrinogen-like domains and the engineering of multimers of the fibrinogen-like domains using antibodies to myc-tags as well as Fc tagging.

FIG. 4—A typical curve of TIE-2-IgG binding to immobilized TL1 in a quantitative cell-free binding assay.

FIG. 5—A typical curve showing TIE-2 ligand 1 ligandbody comprising the fibrinogen-like domain of the ligand bound to the Fc domain of IgG (TL1-fFc) binding to immobilized TIE-2 ectodomain in a quantitative cell-free binding assay.

FIGS. 6A-6B (SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 2)—Nucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 1) and deduced amino acid (single letter code) (SEQ ID NO: 2) sequences of TIE ligand-3. The coding sequence starts at position 47. The fibrinogen-like domain starts at position 929.

FIG. 7 (SEQ ID NOS: 3-8)—Comparison of Amino Acid Sequences of TIE Ligand Family Members. mAng3=mTL3=mouse TIE ligand-3 (SEQ ID NO: 3); hAng4=hTL4=human TIE ligand-4 (SEQ ID NO: 4); hAng1=hTL1=human TIE-2 ligand1 (SEQ ID NO: 5); mAng1=mTL1=mouse TIE-2 ligand 1 (SEQ ID NO: 6); mAng2=mTL2=mouse TIE-2 ligand 2 (SEQ ID NO: 7); hAng2=hTL2=human TIE-2 ligand 2 (SEQ ID NO: 8). The underlined regions indicate conserved regions of homology among the family members.

FIGS. 8A-8C—Nucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 9) and deduced amino acid (single letter code) (SEQ ID NO: 4) sequences of TIE ligand-4. Arrow indicates nucleotide position 569.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described in greater detail below, applicants have isolated and identified novel ligands related to the TIE-2 ligands that bind the TIE-2 receptor. The novel ligands, which may be purified from nature, or made recombinantly, are referred to herein as TIE ligand-3 (TL3) and TIE ligand-4 (TL4). The other TIE ligand family members are referred to herein as TIE-2 ligand 1 (TL1) also known as angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), and TIE-2 ligand 2 (TL2) also known as angiopoietin-2 (Ang2). Applicants herein describe a family of TIE ligands and have identified conserved regions of homology among the family members. The novel ligands TL3 and TL4 would therefore be expected to have functions and utilities similar to that of the known ligands TL1 (Ang1) and TL2 (Ang2) in angiogenesis and hematopoiesis.

The present invention comprises the novel ligands and their amino acid sequences, as well as functionally equivalent variants thereof comprising naturally occurring allelic variations, as well as proteins or peptides comprising substitutions, deletions or insertional mutants of the described sequences, which bind TIE receptor and act as agonists or antagonists thereof. Such variants include those in which amino acid residues are substituted for residues within the sequence resulting in a silent change. For example, one or more amino acid residues within the sequence can be substituted by another amino acid(s) of a similar polarity which acts as a functional equivalent, resulting in a silent alteration. Substitutes for an amino acid within the sequence may be selected from other members of the class to which the amino acid belongs. For example, the class of nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan and methionine. The polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine. The positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine and histidine. The negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

Also included within the scope of the invention are proteins or fragments or derivatives thereof which exhibit the same or similar biological activity as the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein, and derivatives which are differentially modified during or after translation, e.g., by glycosylation, proteolytic cleavage, linkage to an antibody molecule or other cellular ligand, etc. Functionally equivalent molecules also include molecules that contain modifications, including N-terminal modifications, which result from expression in a particular recombinant host, such as, for example, N-terminal methylation which occurs in certain bacterial (e.g. E. coli) expression systems. Functional equivalents also include mutants in which amino acid substitutions are made for cysteine molecules to improve stability of the molecules and to prevent unwanted crosslinking.

The present invention also encompasses the nucleotide sequence that encodes the protein described herein as TIE ligand-3, the nucleotide sequence that encodes the protein described herein as TIE ligand-4, as well as host cells, including yeast, bacteria, viruses, and mammalian cells, which are genetically engineered to produce the protein, by e.g. transfection, transduction, infection, electroporation, or microinjection of nucleic acid encoding the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein in a suitable expression vector. The present invention also encompasses introduction of the nucleic acid encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 through gene therapy techniques such as is described, for example, in Finkel and Epstein FASEB J. 9:843-851 (1995); Guzman, et al. PNAS (USA) 91:10732-10736 (1994).

One skilled in the art will also recognize that the present invention encompasses DNA and RNA sequences that hybridize to a deduced TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding sequence, under conditions of moderate stringency, as defined in, for example, Sambrook, et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2 ed. Vol. 1, pp. 101-104, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989). Thus, a nucleic acid molecule contemplated by the invention includes one having a sequence deduced from an amino acid sequence of a TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 prepared as described herein, as well as a molecule having a sequence of nucleic acids that hybridizes to such a nucleic acid sequence, and also a nucleic acid sequence which is degenerate of the above sequences as a result of the genetic code, but which encodes a ligand that binds TIE receptor and which has an amino acid sequence and other primary, secondary and tertiary characteristics that are sufficiently duplicative of the ligand described herein so as to confer on the molecule the same biological activity as the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein.

Accordingly, the present invention encompasses an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mammalian TIE ligand-3, wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) the nucleotide sequence comprising the coding region of TIE         ligand-3 as set forth in FIGS. 6A-6B (SEQ ID NO: 1);     -   (b) the nucleotide sequence comprising the coding region of the         fibrinogen-like domain of TIE ligand-3 as set forth in FIGS.         6A-6B (SEQ ID NO: 1);     -   (c) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under moderately         stringent conditions to the nucleotide sequence of (a) or (b)         and which encodes a ligand that binds TIE receptor; and     -   (d) a nucleotide sequence which, but for the degeneracy of the         genetic code would hybridize to a nucleotide sequence of         (a), (b) or (c), and which encodes a ligand that binds TIE         receptor.

The present invention further provides for an isolated and purified TIE ligand-3 encoded by an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention. The invention also provides for a vector which comprises an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding mammalian TIE ligand-3.

The present invention also encompasses an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a human TIE ligand-4, wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of:

-   (a) the nucleic acid sequence comprising the coding region of the     human TIE ligand-4 contained in the vector designated as hTL-4     deposited on Jul. 2, 1996 (ATCC Accession No. 98095); -   (b) the nucleotide sequence comprising the coding region of the     fibrinogen-like domain of TIE ligand-4 contained in the vector     designated as hTL-4 deposited on Jul. 2, 1996 (ATCC Accession No.     98095); -   (c) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under moderately stringent     conditions to the nucleotide sequence of (a) or (b) and which     encodes a ligand that binds TIE receptor; and -   (d) a nucleotide sequence which, but for the degeneracy of the     genetic code would hybridize to a nucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or     (c), and which encodes a ligand that binds TIE receptor.

The present invention further encompasses an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human TIE ligand-4, wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) the nucleotide sequence comprising the coding region of the         human TIE ligand-4 as set forth in FIGS. 8A-8C (SEQ ID NO: 9);     -   (b) the nucleotide sequence comprising the coding region of the         fibrinogen-like domain of human TIE ligand-4 as set forth in         FIGS. 8A-8C (SEQ ID NO: 9);     -   (c) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under moderately         stringent conditions to the nucleotide sequence of (a) or (b)         and which encodes a ligand that binds TIE receptor; and     -   (d) a nucleotide sequence that, as a result of the degeneracy of         the genetic code, differs from the nucleotide sequence of (a),         (b), or (c) and which encodes a TIE-2 ligand that binds TIE-2         receptor.

The present invention further provides for an isolated and purified TIE ligand-4 encoded by an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention. The invention also provides for a vector which comprises an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding human TIE ligand-4.

Any of the methods known to one skilled in the art for the insertion of DNA fragments into a vector may be used to construct expression vectors encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 using appropriate transcriptional/translational control signals and the protein coding sequences. These methods may include in vitro recombinant DNA and synthetic techniques and in vivo recombinations (genetic recombination). Expression of a nucleic acid sequence encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 or peptide fragments thereof may be regulated by a second nucleic acid sequence which is operably linked to the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding sequence such that the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 protein or peptide is expressed in a host transformed with the recombinant DNA molecule. For example, expression of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein may be controlled by any promoter/enhancer element known in the art. Promoters which may be used to control expression of the ligand include, but are not limited to the long terminal repeat as described in Squinto et al., (Cell 65:1-20 (1991)); the SV40 early promoter region (Bernoist and Chambon, Nature 290:304-310), the CMV promoter, the M-MuLV 5′ terminal repeat, the promoter contained in the 3′ long terminal repeat of Rous sarcoma virus (Yamamoto, et al., Cell 22:787-797 (1980)), the herpes thymidine kinase promoter (Wagner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:144-1445 (1981)), the adenovirus promoter, the regulatory sequences of the metallothionein gene (Brinster et al., Nature 296:39-42 (1982)); prokaryotic expression vectors such as the β-lactamase promoter (Villa-Kamaroff, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75:3727-3731 (1978)), or the tac promoter (DeBoer, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:21-25 (1983)), see also “Useful proteins from recombinant bacteria” in Scientific American, 242:74-94 (1980); promoter elements from yeast or other fungi such as the Gal 4 promoter, the ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase) promoter, PGK (phosphoglycerol kinase) promoter, alkaline phosphatase promoter, and the following animal transcriptional control regions, which exhibit tissue specificity and have been utilized in transgenic animals; elastase I gene control region which is active in pancreatic acinar cells (Swift et al., Cell 38:639-646 (1984); Ornitz et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 50:399-409 (1986); MacDonald, Hepatology 7:425-515 (1987); insulin gene control region which is active in pancreatic beta cells [Hanahan, Nature 315:115-122 (1985)]; immunoglobulin gene control region which is active in lymphoid cells (Grosschedl et al., 1984, Cell 38:647-658; Adames et al., 1985, Nature 318:533-538; Alexander et al., 1987, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:1436-1444), mouse mammary tumor virus control region which is active in testicular, breast, lymphoid and mast cells (Leder et al., 1986, Cell 45:485-495), albumin gene control region which is active in liver (Pinkert et al., 1987, Genes and Devel. 1:268-276), alpha-fetoprotein gene control region which is active in liver (Krumlauf et al., 1985, Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:1639-1648; Hammer et al., 1987, Science 235:53-58); alpha 1-antitrypsin gene control region which is active in the liver (Kelsey et al, 1987, Genes and Devel. 1:161-171), beta-globin gene control region which is active in myeloid cells (Mogram et al., 1985, Nature 315:338-340; Kollias et al., 1986, Cell 46:89-94); myelin basic protein gene control region which is active in oligodendrocytes in the brain (Readhead et al., 1987, Cell 48:703-712); myosin light chain-2 gene control region which is active in skeletal muscle (Shani, 1985, Nature 314:283-286), and gonadotropic releasing hormone gene control region which is active in the hypothalamus (Mason et al., 1986, Science 234:1372-1378). The invention further encompasses the production of antisense compounds which are capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence of RNA encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 to modulate its expression. Ecker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,195, issued Nov. 24, 1992.

Thus, according to the invention, expression vectors capable of being replicated in a bacterial or eukaryotic host comprising a nucleic acid encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 as described herein, are used to transfect a host and thereby direct expression of such nucleic acid to produce TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, which may then be recovered in a biologically active form. As used herein, a biologically active form includes a form capable of binding to TIE receptor and causing a biological response such as a differentiated function or influencing the phenotype of the cell expressing the receptor. Such biologically active forms could, for example, induce phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase domain of TIE receptor. Alternatively, the biological activity may be an effect as an antagonist to the TIE receptor. In alternative embodiments, the active form of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 is one that can recognize TIE receptor and thereby act as a targeting agent for the receptor for use in both diagnostics and therapeutics. In accordance with such embodiments, the active form need not confer upon any TIE expressing cell any change in phenotype.

Expression vectors containing the gene inserts can be identified by four general approaches: (a) DNA-DNA hybridization, (b) presence or absence of “marker” gene functions, (c) expression of inserted sequences and (d) PCR detection. In the first approach, the presence of a foreign gene inserted in an expression vector can be detected by DNA-DNA hybridization using probes comprising sequences that are homologous to an inserted TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding gene. In the second approach, the recombinant vector/host system can be identified and selected based upon the presence or absence of certain “marker” gene functions (e.g., thymidine kinase activity, resistance to antibiotics, transformation phenotype, occlusion body formation in baculovirus, etc.) caused by the insertion of foreign genes in the vector. For example, if a nucleic acid encoding a TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 is inserted within the marker gene sequence of the vector, recombinants containing the insert can be identified by the absence of the marker gene function. In the third approach, recombinant expression vectors can be identified by assaying the foreign gene product expressed by the recombinant. Such assays can be based, for example, on the physical or functional properties of a TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 gene product, for example, by binding of the ligand to TIE receptor or a portion thereof which may be tagged with, for example, a detectable antibody or portion thereof or by binding to antibodies produced against the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 protein or a portion thereof. Cells of the present invention may transiently or, preferably, constitutively and permanently express TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 as described herein. In the fourth approach, DNA nucleotide primers can be prepared corresponding to a tie specific DNA sequence. These primers could then be used to PCR a tie gene fragment. (PCR Protocols: A Guide To Methods and Applications, Edited by Michael A. Innis et al., Academic Press (1990)).

The recombinant ligand may be purified by any technique which allows for the subsequent formation of a stable, biologically active protein. Preferably, the ligand is secreted into the culture medium from which it is recovered. Alternatively, the ligand may be recovered from cells either as soluble proteins or as inclusion bodies, from which it may be extracted quantitatively by 8M guanidinium hydrochloride and dialysis in accordance with well known methodology. In order to further purify the ligand, affinity chromatography, conventional ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, reverse phase chromatography or gel filtration may be used.

In additional embodiments of the invention, as described in greater detail in the Examples, a recombinant TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding gene may be used to inactivate or “knock out” the endogenous gene by homologous recombination, and thereby create a TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 deficient cell, tissue, or animal. For example, and not by way of limitation, the recombinant TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding gene may be engineered to contain an insertional mutation, for example the neo gene, which would inactivate the native TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding gene. Such a construct, under the control of a suitable promoter, may be introduced into a cell, such as an embryonic stem cell, by a technique such as transfection, transduction, or injection. Cells containing the construct may then be selected by G418 resistance. Cells which lack an intact TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding gene may then be identified, e.g. by Southern blotting, PCR detection, Northern blotting or assay of expression. Cells lacking an intact TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 encoding gene may then be fused to early embryo cells to generate transgenic animals deficient in such ligand. Such an animal may be used to define specific in vivo processes, normally dependent upon the ligand.

The present invention also provides for antibodies to TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein which are useful for detection of the ligand in, for example, diagnostic applications. For preparation of monoclonal antibodies directed toward TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture may be used. For example, the hybridoma technique originally developed by Kohler and Milstein (1975, Nature 256:495-497), as well as the trioma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kozbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72), and the EBV-hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies (Cole et al., 1985, in “Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy,” Alan R. Liss, Inc. pp. 77-96) and the like are within the scope of the present invention.

The monoclonal antibodies may be human monoclonal antibodies or chimeric human-mouse (or other species) monoclonal antibodies. Human monoclonal antibodies may be made by any of numerous techniques known in the art (e.g., Teng et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:7308-7312; Kozbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72-79; Olsson et al., 1982, Meth. Enzymol. 92:3-16). Chimeric antibody molecules may be prepared containing a mouse antigen-binding domain with human constant regions (Morrison et al., 1984. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:6851, Takeda et al., 1985, Nature 314:452).

Various procedures known in the art may be used for the production of polyclonal antibodies to epitopes of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein. For the production of antibody, various host animals, including but not limited to rabbits, mice and rats can be immunized by injection with TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, or a fragment or derivative thereof. Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host species, and including but not limited to Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanins, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum.

A molecular clone of an antibody to a selected TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 epitope can be prepared by known techniques. Recombinant DNA methodology (see e.g., Maniatis et al., 1982, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) may be used to construct nucleic acid sequences which encode a monoclonal antibody molecule, or antigen binding region thereof.

The present invention provides for antibody molecules as well as fragments of such antibody molecules. Antibody fragments which contain the idiotype of the molecule can be generated by known techniques. For example, such fragments include but are not limited to: the F(ab′)₂ fragment which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule; the Fab′ fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)₂ fragment, and the Fab fragments which can be generated by treating the antibody molecule with papain and a reducing agent. Antibody molecules may be purified by known techniques, e.g., immunoabsorption or immunoaffinity chromatography, chromatographic methods such as HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), or a combination thereof.

The present invention further encompasses an immunoassay for measuring the amount of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in a biological sample by

-   a) contacting the biological sample with at least one antibody which     specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 so that the antibody     forms a complex with any TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 present in the     sample; and -   b) measuring the amount of the complex and thereby measuring the     amount of the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in the biological sample.

The invention further encompasses an assay for measuring the amount of TIE receptor in a biological sample by

-   a) contacting the biological sample with at least one ligand of the     invention so that the ligand forms a complex with the TIE receptor;     and -   b) measuring the amount of the complex and thereby measuring the     amount of the TIE receptor in the biological sample.

The present invention also provides for the utilization of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 to support the survival and/or growth and/or migration and/or differentiation of TIE receptor expressing cells. Thus, the ligand may be used as a supplement to support, for example, endothelial cells in culture.

Further, the discovery by applicants of additional ligands for the TIE receptor enables the utilization of assay systems useful for the identification of agonists or antagonists of the TIE receptor. Such assay systems would be useful in identifying molecules capable of promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis. For example, in one embodiment, antagonists of the TIE receptor may be identified as test molecules that are capable of interfering with the interaction of the TIE receptor with biologically active TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. Such antagonists are identified by their ability to 1) block the binding of biologically active TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 to the receptor as measured, for example, using BIAcore biosensor technology (BIAcore; Pharmacia Biosensor, Piscataway, N.J.); or 2) block the ability of biologically active TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 to cause a biological response. Such biological responses include, but are not limited to, phosphorylation of the TIE receptor or downstream components of the TIE signal transduction pathway, or survival, growth or differentiation of TIE receptor bearing cells.

In one embodiment, cells engineered to express the TIE receptor may be dependent for growth on the addition of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. Such cells provide useful assay systems for identifying additional agonists of the TIE receptor, or antagonists capable of interfering with the activity of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 on such cells. Alternatively, autocrine cells, engineered to be capable of co-expressing both TIE ligand-3 and receptor, or TIE ligand-4 and receptor, may provide useful systems for assaying potential agonists or antagonists.

Therefore, the present invention provides for introduction of a TIE receptor into cells that do not normally express this receptor, thus allowing these cells to exhibit profound and easily distinguishable responses to a ligand which binds this receptor. The type of response elicited depends on the cell utilized, and not the specific receptor introduced into the cell. Appropriate cell lines can be chosen to yield a response of the greatest utility for assaying, as well as discovering, molecules that can act on tyrosine kinase receptors. The molecules may be any type of molecule, including but not limited to peptide and non-peptide molecules, that will act in systems to be described in a receptor specific manner.

One of the more useful systems to be exploited involves the introduction of a TIE receptor (or a chimeric receptor comprising the extracellular domain of another receptor tyrosine kinase such as, for example, trkC and the intracellular domain of a TIE receptor) into a fibroblast cell line (e.g., NIH3T3 cells) thus such a receptor which does not normally mediate proliferative or other responses can, following introduction into fibroblasts, nonetheless be assayed by a variety of well established methods to quantitate effects of fibroblast growth factors (e.g. thymidine incorporation or other types of proliferation assays; see van Zoelen, 1990, “The Use of Biological Assays For Detection Of Polypeptide Growth Factors” in Progress Factor Research, Vol. 2, pp. 131-152; Zhan and M. Goldfarb, 1986, Mol. Cell. Biol., Vol. 6, pp. 3541-3544). These assays have the added advantage that any preparation can be assayed both on the cell line having the introduced receptor as well as the parental cell line lacking the receptor; only specific effects on the cell line with the receptor would be judged as being mediated through the introduced receptor. Such cells may be further engineered to express the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, thus creating an autocrine system useful for assaying for molecules that act as antagonists/agonists of this interaction. Thus, the present invention provides for host cells comprising nucleic acid encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 and nucleic acid encoding TIE receptor.

The TIE receptor/TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 interaction also provides a useful system for identifying small molecule agonists or antagonists of the TIE receptor. For example, fragments, mutants or derivatives of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may be identified that bind TIE receptor but do not induce any other biological activity. Alternatively, the characterization of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 enables the determination of active portions of the molecule. Further, the identification of a ligand enables the determination of the X-ray crystal structure of the receptor/ligand complex, thus enabling identification of the binding site on the receptor. Knowledge of the binding site will provide useful insight into the rational design of novel agonists and antagonists.

The specific binding of a test molecule to TIE receptor may be measured in a number of ways. For example, the actual binding of test molecule to cells expressing TIE may be detected or measured, by detecting or measuring (i) test molecule bound to the surface of intact cells; (ii) test molecule cross-linked to TIE protein in cell lysates; or (iii) test molecule bound to TIE in vitro. The specific interaction between test molecule and TIE may be evaluated by using reagents that demonstrate the unique properties of that interaction.

As a specific, nonlimiting example, the methods of the invention may be used as follows. Consider a case in which the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in a sample is to be measured. Varying dilutions of the sample (the test molecule), in parallel with a negative control (NC) containing no TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 activity, and a positive control (PC) containing a known amount of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, may be exposed to cells that express TIE in the presence of a detectably labeled TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 (in this example, radioiodinated ligand). The amount of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in the test sample may be evaluated by determining the amount of ¹²⁵I-labeled TIE ligand-3 or ¹²⁵I-labeled TIE ligand-4 that binds to the controls and in each of the dilutions, and then comparing the sample values to a standard curve. The more TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in the sample, the less ¹²⁵I-ligand that will bind to TIE.

The amount of ¹²⁵I-ligand bound may be determined by measuring the amount of radioactivity per cell, or by cross-linking the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 to cell surface proteins using DSS, as described in Meakin and Shooter, 1991, Neuron 6:153-163, and detecting the amount of labeled protein in cell extracts using, for example, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which may reveal a labeled protein having a size corresponding to TIE receptor/TIE ligand-3 or TIE receptor/TIE ligand-4. The specific test molecule/TIE interaction may further be tested by adding to the assays various dilutions of an unlabeled control ligand that does not bind the TIE receptor and therefore should have no substantial effect on the competition between labeled TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 and test molecule for TIE binding. Alternatively, a molecule known to be able to disrupt TIE receptor/TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 binding, such as, but not limited to, anti-TIE antibody, or TIE receptorbody as described herein, may be expected to interfere with the competition between ¹²⁵I-TIE ligand-3 or ¹²⁵I-TIE ligand-4 and test molecule for TIE receptor binding.

Detectably labeled TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 includes, but is not limited to, TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 linked covalently or noncovalently to a radioactive substance, a fluorescent substance, a substance that has enzymatic activity, a substance that may serve as a substrate for an enzyme (enzymes and substrates associated with calorimetrically detectable reactions are preferred) or to a substance that can be recognized by an antibody molecule that is preferably a detectably labeled antibody molecule.

Alternatively, the specific binding of test molecule to TIE may be measured by evaluating the secondary biological effects of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4/TIE receptor binding, including, but not limited to, cell growth and/or differentiation or immediate early gene expression or phosphorylation of TIE. For example, the ability of the test molecule to induce differentiation can be tested in cells that lack tie and in comparable cells that express tie; differentiation in tie-expressing cells but not in comparable cells that lack tie would be indicative of a specific test molecule/TIE interaction. A similar analysis could be performed by detecting immediate early gene (e.g. fos and jun) induction in tie-minus and tie-plus cells, or by detecting phosphorylation of TIE using standard phosphorylation assays known in the art. Such analysis might be useful in identifying agonists or antagonists that do not competitively bind to TIE.

Similarly, the present invention provides for a method of identifying a molecule that has the biological activity of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 comprising (i) exposing a cell that expresses tie to a test molecule and (ii) detecting the specific binding of the test molecule to TIE receptor, in which specific binding to TIE positively correlates with TIE-like activity. Specific binding may be detected by either assaying for direct binding or the secondary biological effects of binding, as discussed supra. Such a method may be particularly useful in identifying new members of the TIE ligand family or, in the pharmaceutical industry, in screening a large array of peptide and non-peptide molecules (e.g., peptidomimetics) for TIE associated biological activity. In a preferred, specific, nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, a large grid of culture wells may be prepared that contain, in alternate rows, PC12 (or fibroblasts, see infra) cells that are either tie-minus or engineered to be tie-plus. A variety of test molecules may then be added such that each column of the grid, or a portion thereof, contains a different test molecule. Each well could then be scored for the presence or absence of growth and/or differentiation. An extremely large number of test molecules could be screened for such activity in this manner.

In additional embodiments, the invention provides for methods of detecting or measuring TIE ligand-like activity or identifying a molecule as having such activity comprising (i) exposing a test molecule to a TIE receptor protein in vitro under conditions that permit binding to occur and (ii) detecting binding of the test molecule to the TIE receptor protein, in which binding of test molecule to TIE receptor correlates with TIE ligand-like activity. According to such methods, the TIE receptor may or may not be substantially purified, may be affixed to a solid support (e.g. as an affinity column or as an ELISA assay), or may be incorporated into an artificial membrane. Binding of test molecule to TIE receptor may be evaluated by any method known in the art. In preferred embodiments, the binding of test molecule may be detected or measured by evaluating its ability to compete with detectably labeled known TIE ligands for TIE receptor binding.

The present invention also provides for a method of detecting the ability of a test molecule to function as an antagonist of TIE ligand-like activity comprising detecting the ability of the molecule to inhibit an effect of TIE ligand binding to TIE receptor on a cell that expresses the receptor. Such an antagonist may or may not interfere with TIE receptor/TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 binding. Effects of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 binding to TIE receptor are preferably biological or biochemical effects, including, but not limited to, cell survival or proliferation, cell transformation, immediate early gene induction, or TIE phosphorylation.

The invention further provides for both a method of identifying antibodies or other molecules capable of neutralizing the ligand or blocking binding to the receptor, as well as the molecules identified by the method. By way of nonlimiting example, the method may be performed via an assay which is conceptually similar to an ELISA assay. For example, TIE receptorbody may be bound to a solid support, such as a plastic multiwell plate. As a control, a known amount of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 which has been Myc-tagged may then be introduced to the well and any tagged TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 which binds the receptorbody may then be identified by means of a reporter antibody directed against the Myc-tag. This assay system may then be used to screen test samples for molecules which are capable of i) binding to the tagged ligand or ii) binding to the receptorbody and thereby blocking binding to the receptorbody by the tagged ligand. For example, a test sample containing a putative molecule of interest together with a known amount of tagged ligand may be introduced to the well and the amount of tagged ligand which binds to the receptorbody may be measured. By comparing the amount of bound tagged ligand in the test sample to the amount in the control, samples containing molecules which are capable of blocking ligand binding to the receptor may be identified. The molecules of interest thus identified may be isolated using methods well known to one of skill in the art.

Once a blocker of ligand binding is found, one of skill in the art would know to perform secondary assays to determine whether the blocker is binding to the receptor or to the ligand, as well as assays to determine if the blocker molecule can neutralize the biological activity of the ligand. For example, by using a binding assay which employs BIAcore biosensor technology (or the equivalent), in which either TIE receptorbody or TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 or ligandbody is covalently attached to a solid support (e.g. carboxymethyl dextran on a gold surface), one of skill in the art would be able to determine if the blocker molecule is binding specifically to the ligand, ligandbody or to the receptorbody. To determine if the blocker molecule can neutralize the biological activity of the ligand, one of skill in the art could perform a phosphorylation assay (see Example 5 in International Publication No. WO 96/31598 published 10, Oct. 1996) or alternatively, a functional bioassay, such as a survival assay, by using primary cultures of, for example, endothelial cells. Alternatively, a blocker molecule which binds to the receptorbody could be an agonist and one of skill in the art would know to how to determine this by performing an appropriate assay for identifying additional agonists of the TIE receptor.

In addition, the invention further contemplates compositions wherein the TIE ligand is the receptor binding domain of the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein. For example, TIE-2 ligand 1 contains a “coiled coil” domain and a fibrinogen-like domain. The fibrinogen-like domain of TIE-2 ligand 2 is believed to begin on or around the same amino acid sequence as in ligand 1 (FRDCA). The fibrinogen-like domain of TIE ligand-3 is believed to begin on or around the amino acid sequence which is encoded by nucleotides beginning around position 929 as set forth in FIGS. 6A-6B. Multimerization of the coiled coil domains during production of the ligand hampers purification. As described in Example 7, Applicants have discovered, however, that the fibrinogen-like domain comprises the TIE-2 receptor binding domain. The monomeric forms of the fibrinogen-like domain do not, however, appear to bind the receptor. Studies utilizing myc-tagged fibrinogen-like domain, which has been “clustered” using anti-myc antibodies, do bind the TIE-2 receptor. [Methods of production of “clustered ligands and ligandbodies are described in Davis, et al. Science 266:816-819 (1994)]. Based on these finding, applicants produced “ligandbodies” which comprise the fibrinogen-like domain of the TIE-2 ligands coupled to the Fc domain of IgG (“fFc's”). These ligandbodies, which form dimers, efficiently bind the TIE-2 receptor. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates the production of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 ligandbodies which may be used as targeting agents, in diagnostics or in therapeutic applications, such as targeting agents for tumors and/or associated vasculature wherein a TIE antagonist is indicated.

The invention herein further provides for the development of the ligand, a fragment or derivative thereof, or another molecule which is a receptor agonist or antagonist, as a therapeutic for the treatment of patients suffering from disorders involving cells, tissues or organs which express the TIE receptor. Such molecules may be used in a method of treatment of the human or animal body, or in a method of diagnosis.

Because TIE receptor has been identified in association with endothelial cells and, as demonstrated herein, blocking of TIE-2 ligand 1 appears to prevent vascularization, applicants expect that the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may be useful for the induction of vascularization in diseases or disorders where such vascularization is indicated. Such diseases or disorders would include wound healing, ischaemia and diabetes. The ligands may be tested in animal models and used therapeutically as described for other agents, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), another endothelial cell-specific factor that is angiogenic. Ferrara, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,671 issued Jul. 26, 1994. The Ferrara reference, as well as other studies, describe in vitro and in vivo studies that may be used to demonstrate the effect of an angiogenic factor in enhancing blood flow to ischemic myocardium, enhancing wound healing, and in other therapeutic settings wherein neoangiogenesis is desired. [see Sudo, et al. European Patent Application 0 550 296 A2 published Jul. 7, 1993; Banai, et al. Circulation 89:2183-2189 (1994); Unger, et al. Am. J. Physiol. 266:H1588-H1595 (1994); Lazarous, et al. Circulation 91:145-153 (1995)]. According to the invention, TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may be used alone or in combination with one or more additional pharmaceutically active compounds such as, for example, VEGF or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), as well as cytokines, neurotrophins, etc.

Conversely, antagonists of the TIE receptor, such as receptorbodies as described herein in Examples 2 and 3, and TIE-2 ligand 2 as described in Example 9 in International Publication No. WO 96/31598 published 10, Oct. 1996, would be useful to prevent or attenuate vascularization, thus preventing or attenuating, for example, tumor growth. These agents may be used alone or in combination with other compositions, such as anti-VEGF antibodies, that have been shown to be useful in treating conditions in which the therapeutic intent is to block angiogenesis. Applicants expect that the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 described herein may also be used in combination with agents, such as cytokine antagonists such as IL-6 antagonists, that are known to block inflammation.

For example, applicants have determined that TIE ligands are expressed in cells within, or closely associated with, tumors. For example, TIE-2 ligand 2 appears to be tightly associated with tumor endothelial cells. Accordingly, it and other TIE antagonists may also be useful in preventing or attenuating, for example, tumor growth. In addition, TIE ligands or ligandbodies may be useful for the delivery of toxins to a receptor bearing cell. Alternatively, other molecules, such as growth factors, cytokines or nutrients, may be delivered to a TIE receptor bearing cell via TIE ligands or ligandbodies. TIE ligands or ligandbodies such as TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may also be used as diagnostic reagents for TIE receptor, to detect the receptor in vivo or in vitro. Where the TIE receptor is associated with a disease state, TIE ligands or ligandbodies such as TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may be useful as diagnostic reagents for detecting the disease by, for example, tissue staining or whole body imaging. Such reagents include radioisotopes, flurochromes, dyes, enzymes and biotin. Such diagnostics or targeting agents may be prepared as described in Alitalo, et al. WO 95/26364 published Oct. 5, 1995 and Burrows, F. and P. Thorpe, PNAS (USA) 90:8996-9000 (1993) which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

In other embodiments, the TIE ligands, such as TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, described herein are used as hematopoietic factors. A variety of hematopoietic factors and their receptors are involved in the proliferation and/or differentiation and/or migration of the various cells types contained within blood. Because the TIE receptors are expressed in early hematopoietic cells, the TIE ligands are expected to play a comparable role in the proliferation or differentiation or migration of these cells. Thus, for example, TIE containing compositions may be prepared, assayed, examined in in vitro and in vivo biological systems and used therapeutically as described in any of the following: Sousa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,643, Lee, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:4360-4364 (1985) Wong, et al. Science, 228:810-814 (1985); Yokota, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci (USA) 81:1070 (1984); Bosselman, et al. WO 9105795 published May 2, 1991 entitled “Stem Cell Factor” and Kirkness, et al. WO 95/19985 published Jul. 27, 1995 entitled “Haemopoietic Maturation Factor”. Accordingly, TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may be used to diagnose or treat conditions in which normal hematopoiesis is suppressed, including, but not limited to anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and granulocytopenia. In a preferred embodiment, TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 may be used to stimulate differentiation of blood cell precursors in situations where a patient has a disease, such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) which has caused a reduction in normal blood cell levels, or in clinical settings in which enhancement of hematopoietic populations is desired, such as in conjunction with bone marrow transplant, or in the treatment of aplasia or myelosuppression caused by radiation, chemical treatment or chemotherapy.

The TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 of the present invention may be used alone, or in combination with another pharmaceutically active agent such as, for example, ctyokines, neurotrophins, interleukins, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the ligand may be used in conjunction with any of a number of the above referenced factors which are known to induce stem cell or other hematopoietic precursor proliferation, or factors acting on later cells in the hematopoietic pathway, including, but not limited to, hemopoietic maturation factor, thrombopoietin, stem cell factor, erythropoietin, G-CSF, GM-CSF, etc.

In an alternative embodiment, TIE receptor antagonists are used to diagnose or treat patients in which the desired result is inhibition of a hematopoietic pathway, such as for the treatment of myeloproliferative or other proliferative disorders of blood forming organs such as thrombocythemias, polycythemias and leukemias. In such embodiments, treatment may comprise use of a therapeutically effective amount of the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, TIE antibody, TIE receptorbody, a conjugate of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, or a ligandbody or fFC as described herein.

The present invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 or ligandbodies described herein, peptide fragments thereof, or derivatives in a pharmacologically acceptable vehicle. The TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 proteins, peptide fragments, or derivatives may be administered systemically or locally. Any appropriate mode of administration known in the art may be used, including, but not limited to, intravenous, intrathecal, intraarterial, intranasal, oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or by local injection or surgical implant. Sustained release formulations are also provided for.

The present invention also provides for an antibody which specifically binds such a therapeutic molecule. The antibody may be monoclonal or polyclonal. The invention also provides for a method of using such a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody to measure the amount of the therapeutic molecule in a sample taken from a patient for purposes of monitoring the course of therapy.

The invention further provides for a therapeutic composition comprising a TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 or ligandbody and a cytotoxic agent conjugated thereto. In one embodiment, the cytotoxic agent may be a radioisotope or toxin.

The invention also provides for an antibody which specifically binds a TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. The antibody may be monoclonal or polyclonal.

The invention further provides for a method of purifying TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 comprising:

-   -   a) coupling at least one TIE binding substrate to a solid         matrix;     -   b) incubating the substrate of a) with a cell lysate so that the         substrate forms a complex with any TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4         in the cell lysate;     -   c) washing the solid matrix; and     -   d) eluting the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 from the coupled         substrate.

The substrate may be any substance that specifically binds the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4. In one embodiment, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of anti-TIE ligand-3 or anti-TIE ligand-4 antibody, TIE receptor and TIE receptorbody. The invention further provides for a receptorbody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, as well as a therapeutic composition comprising the receptorbody in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, and a method of blocking blood vessel growth in a human comprising administering an effective amount of the therapeutic composition.

The invention also provides for a therapeutic composition comprising TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 or ligandbody in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, as well as a method of promoting neovascularization in a patient comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of the therapeutic composition.

In addition, the present invention provides for a method for identifying a cell which expresses TIE receptor which comprises contacting a cell with a detectably labeled TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 or ligandbody, under conditions permitting binding of the detectably labeled ligand to the TIE receptor and determining whether the detectably labeled ligand is bound to the TIE receptor, thereby identifying the cell as one which expresses TIE receptor. The present invention also provides for a therapeutic composition comprising a TIE TIE ligand-3 or ligand-4 or ligandbody and a cytotoxic agent conjugated thereto. The cytotoxic agent may be a radioisotope or toxin.

The invention also provides a method of detecting expression of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 by a cell which comprises obtaining mRNA from the cell, contacting the mRNA so obtained with a labeled nucleic acid molecule encoding TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, under hybridizing conditions, determining the presence of mRNA hybridized to the labeled molecule, and thereby detecting the expression of the TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in the cell.

The invention further provides a method of detecting expression of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in tissue sections which comprises contacting the tissue sections with a labeled nucleic acid molecule encoding a TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4, under hybridizing conditions, determining the presence of mRNA hybridized to the labelled molecule, and thereby detecting the expression of TIE ligand-3 or TIE ligand-4 in tissue sections.

EXAMPLE 1 Identification of the ABAE Cell Line as Reporter Cells for the TIE-2 Receptor

Adult BAE cells are registered in the European Cell Culture Repository, under ECACC #92010601. (See PNAS 75:2621 (1978)). Northern (RNA) analyses revealed moderate levels of tie-2 transcripts in the ABAE (Adult Bovine Arterial Endothelial) cell line, consistent with in situ hybridization results that demonstrated almost exclusive localization of tie-2 RNAs to vascular endothelial cells. We therefore examined ABAE cell lysates for the presence of TIE-2 protein, as well as the extent to which this TIE-2 protein is tyrosine-phosphorylated under normal versus serum-deprived growth conditions. ABAE cell lysates were harvested and subjected to immunoprecipitation, followed by Western blot analyses of immunoprecipitated proteins with TIE-2 specific and phosphotyrosine-specific antisera. Omission or inclusion of TIE-2 peptides as specific blocking molecules during TIE-2 immunoprecipitation allowed unambiguous identification of TIE-2 as a moderately detectable protein of ˜150 kD whose steady-state phosphotyrosine levels diminish to near undetectable levels by prior serum-starvation of the cells.

Culture of ABAE cells and harvest of cell lysates was done as follows. Low-passage-number ABAE cells were plated as a monolayer at a density of 2×10⁶ cells/150 mm plastic petri plate (Falcon) and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% bovine calf serum (10% BCS), 2 mM L-glutamine (Q) and 1% each of penicillin and streptomycin (P-S) in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂. Prior to harvest of cell lysates, cells were serum-starved for 24 hours in DMEM/Q/P-S, followed by aspiration of the medium and rinsing of the plates with ice-cold phosphate buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with sodium orthovanadate, sodium fluoride and sodium benzamidine. Cells were lysed in a small volume of this rinse buffer that had been supplemented with 1% NP40 detergent and the protease inhibitors PMSF and aprotinin. Insoluble debris was removed from the cell lysates by centrifugation at 14,000×G for 10 minutes, at 4° C. and the supernatants were subjected to immunoprecipitation with antisera specific for TIE-2 receptor, with or without the presence of blocking peptides added to ˜20 μg/ml lysate. Immunoprecipitated proteins were resolved by PAGE (7.5% Laemmli gel), and then electro-transferred to PVDF membrane and incubated either with various TIE-2- or phosphotyrosine-specific antisera. TIE-2 protein was visualized by incubation of the membrane with HRP-linked secondary antisera followed by treatment with ECL reagent (Amersham).

EXAMPLE 2 Cloning and Expression of TIE-2 Receptorbody for Affinity-Based Study of TIE-2 Ligand Interactions

An expression construct was created that would yield a secreted protein consisting of the entire extracellular portion of the rat TIE-2 receptor fused to the human immunoglobulin gamma-1 constant region (IgG1 Fc). This fusion protein is called a TIE-2 “receptorbody” (RB), and would be normally expected to exist as a dimer in solution based on formation of disulfide linkages between individual IgG1 Fc tails. The Fc portion of the TIE-2 RB was prepared as follows. A DNA fragment encoding the Fc portion of human IgG1 that spans from the hinge region to the carboxy-terminus of the protein, was amplified from human placental cDNA by PCR with oligonucleotides corresponding to the published sequence of human IgG1; the resulting DNA fragment was cloned in a plasmid vector. Appropriate DNA restriction fragments from a plasmid encoding the full-length TIE-2 receptor and from the human IgG1 Fc plasmid were ligated on either side of a short PCR-derived fragment that was designed so as to fuse, in-frame, the TIE-2 and human IgG1 Fc protein-coding sequences. Thus, the resulting TIE-2 ectodomain-Fc fusion protein precisely substituted the IgG1 Fc in place of the region spanning the TIE-2 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. An alternative method of preparing RBs is described in Goodwin, et. al. Cell 73:447-456 (1993).

Milligram quantities of TIE-2 RB were obtained by cloning the TIE-2 RB DNA fragment into the pVL1393 baculovirus vector and subsequently infecting the Spodoptera frugiperda SF-21AE insect cell line. Alternatively, the cell line SF-9 (ATCC Accession No. CRL-1711) or the cell line BTI-TN-5b1-4 may be used. DNA encoding the TIE-2 RB was cloned as an Eco RI-NotI fragment into the baculovirus transfer plasmid pVL1393. Plasmid DNA purified by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation was recombined into viral DNA by mixing 3 μg of plasmid DNA with 0.5 μg of Baculo-Gold DNA (Pharminigen), followed by introduction into liposomes using 30 μg Lipofectin (GIBCO-BRL). DNA-liposome mixtures were added to SF-21AE cells (2×10⁶ cells/60 mm dish) in TMN-FH medium (Modified Grace's Insect Cell Medium (GIBCO-BRL) for 5 hours at 27° C., followed by incubation at 27° C. for 5 days in TMN-FH medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum. Tissue culture medium was harvested for plaque purification of recombinant viruses, which was carried out using methods previously described (O'Reilly, D. R., L. K. Miller, and V. A. Luckow, Baculovirus Expression Vectors—A Laboratory Manual. 1992, New York: W.H. Freeman) except that the agarose overlay contained 125 μg/mL X-gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-μ-D-galactopyranoside; GIBCO-BRL). After 5 days of incubation at 27° C., non-recombinant plaques were scored by positive chromogenic reaction to the X-gal substrate, and their positions marked. Recombinant plaques were then visualized by addition of a second overlay containing 100 μg/mL MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5,diphenyltetrazolium bromide; Sigma). Putative recombinant virus plaques were picked by plug aspiration, and purified by multiple rounds of plaque isolation to assure homogeneity. Virus stocks were generated by serial, low-multiplicity passage of plaque-purified virus. Low passage stocks of one virus clone (vTIE-2 receptorbody) were produced.

SF-21AE cells were cultured in serum free medium (SF-900 II, Gibco BRL) containing 1× antibiotic/antimycotic solution (Gibco BRL) and 25 mg/L Gentamycin (Gibco BRL). Pluronic F-68 was added as a surfactant to a final concentration of 1 g/L. Cultures (4 L) were raised in a bioreactor (Artisan Cell Station System) for at least three days prior to infection. Cells were grown at 27° C., with gassing to 50% dissolved oxygen, at a gas flow rate of 80 mL/min (aeration at a sparge ring). Agitation was by means of a marine impeller at a rate of 100 rpm. Cells were harvested in mid-logarithmic growth phase (˜2×10⁶ cells/mL), concentrated by centrifugation, and infected with 5 plaque forming units of vTIE-2 receptorbody per cell. Cells and inoculum were brought to 400 mL with fresh medium, and virus was adsorbed for 2 hours at 27° C. in a spinner flask. The culture was then resuspended in a final volume of 8 L with fresh serum-free medium, and the cells incubated in the bioreactor using the previously described conditions.

Culture medium from vTIE-2 receptorbody-infected SF21AE cells were collected by centrifugation (500×g, 10 minutes) at 72 hours post-infection. Cell supernatants were brought to pH 8 with NaOH. EDTA was added to a final concentration of 10 mM and the supernatant pH was readjusted to 8. Supernatants were filtered (0.45 μm, Millipore) and loaded on a protein A column (protein A sepharose 4 fast flow or HiTrap protein A, both from Pharmacia). The column was washed with PBS containing 0.5 M NaCl until the absorbance at 280 nm decreased to baseline. The column was washed in PBS and eluted with 0.5 M acetic acid. Column fractions were immediately neutralized by eluting into tubes containing 1 M Tris pH 9. The peak fractions containing the TIE-2 receptorbody were pooled and dialyzed versus PBS.

EXAMPLE 3 Demonstration that TIE-2 has a Critical Role in Development of the Vasculature

Insight into the function of TIE-2 was gained by introduction of “excess” soluble TIE-2 receptorbody (TIE-2 RB) into a developing system. The potential ability of TIE-2 RB to bind, and thereby neutralize, available TIE-2 ligand could result in an observable disruption of normal vascular development and characterization of the ligand. To examine whether TIE-2 RB could be used to disrupt vascular development in early chick embryos, small pieces of a biologically resorbable foam were soaked with TIE-2 RB and inserted immediately beneath the chorioallantoic membrane at positions just lateral to the primitive embryo.

Early chicken embryos develop atop the yolk from a small disk of cells that is covered by the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The endothelial cells that will come to line the vasculature in the embryo arise from both extra- and intra-embryonic cell sources. Extra-embryonically-derived endothelial cells, which provide the major source of endothelial cells in the embryo, originate from accretions of mesenchyme that are situated laterally around the embryo-proper, just underneath the CAM. As these mesenchyme cells mature, they give rise to a common progenitor of both the endothelial and hematopoietic cell lineages, termed the hemangioblast. In turn, the hemangioblast gives rise to a mixed population of angioblasts (the endothelial cell progenitor) and hematoblasts (the pluripotential hematopoietic precursor). Formation of rudiments of the circulatory system begins when endothelial cell progeny segregate to form a one-cell-thick vesicle that surrounds the primitive blood cells. Proliferation and migration of these cellular components eventually produces a vast network of blood-filled microvessels under the CAM that will ultimately invade the embryo to join with limited, intra-embryonically-derived vascular elements.

Newly fertilized chicken eggs obtained from Spafas, Inc. (Boston, Mass.) were incubated at 99.5° F., 55% relative humidity. At about 24 hrs. of development, the egg shell was wiped down with 70% ethanol and a dentist's drill was used to make a 1.5 cm. hole in the blunt apex of each egg. The shell membrane was removed to reveal an air space directly above the embryo. Small rectangular pieces of sterile Gelfoam (Upjohn) were cut with a scalpel and soaked in equal concentrations of either TIE-2or EHK-1 receptorbody. EHK-1 receptorbody was made as set forth in Example 2 using the EHK-1 extracellular domain instead of the TIE-2 extracellular domain (Maisonpierre et al., Oncogene 8:3277-3288 (1993). Each Gelfoam piece absorbed approximately 6 μg of protein in 30 μl. Sterile watchmakers forceps were used to make a small tear in the CAM at a position several millimeters lateral to the primitive embryo. The majority of the piece of RB-soaked Gelfoam was inserted under the CAM and the egg shell was sealed over with a piece of adhesive tape. Other similarly-staged eggs were treated in parallel with RB of the unrelated, neuronally expressed receptor tyrosine kinase, EHK-1 (Maisonpierre et al., Oncogene 8:3277-3288 (1993). Development was allowed to proceed for 4 days and then the embryos were examined by visual inspection. Embryos were removed by carefully breaking the shells in dishes of warmed PBS and carefully cutting away the embryo with surrounding CAM. Of 12 eggs treated with each RB, 6 TIE-2 RB and 5 EHK-1 RB treated embryos had developed beyond the stage observed at the start of the experiment. A dramatic difference was seen between these developed embryos, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Those treated with EHK-1 RB appeared to have developed relatively normally. Four out of five EHK-1 embryos were viable as judged by the presence of a beating heart. Furthermore, the extra-embryonic vasculature, which is visually obvious due to the presence of red blood cells, was profuse and extended several centimeters laterally under the CAM. By contrast, those treated with TIE-2 RB were severely stunted, ranging from 2-5 mm. in diameter, as compared with more than 10 mm in diameter for the EHK-1 RB embryos. All of the TIE-2 RB treated embryos were dead and their CAMs were devoid of blood vessels. The ability of TIE-2 RB to block vascular development in the chicken demonstrates that TIE-2 ligand is necessary for development of the vasculature.

EXAMPLE 4 Construction of TIE-2 Ligandbodies

An expression construct was created that would yield a secreted protein consisting of the entire coding sequence of human TIE-2 ligand 1 (TL1) or TIE-2 ligand 2 (TL2) fused to the human immunoglobulin gamma-1 constant region (IgG1 Fc). These fusion proteins are called TIE-2 “ligandbodies” (TL1-Fc or TL2-Fc). The Fc portion of TL1-Fc and TL2-Fc was prepared as follows. A DNA fragment encoding the Fc portion of human IgG1 that spans from the hinge region to the carboxy-terminus of the protein, was amplified from human placental cDNA by PCR with oligonucleotides corresponding to the published sequence of human IgG1; the resulting DNA fragment was cloned in a plasmid vector. Appropriate DNA restriction fragments from a plasmid encoding full-length TL1 or TL2 and from the human IgG1 Fc plasmid were ligated on either side of a short PCR-derived fragment that was designed so as to fuse, in-frame, TL1 or TL2 with human IgG1 Fc protein-coding sequences.

Milligram quantities of TL2-Fc were obtained by cloning the TL2-Fc DNA fragment into the pVL1393 baculovirus vector and subsequently infecting the Spodoptera frugiperda SF-21AE insect cell line. Alternatively, the cell line SF-9 (ATCC Accession No. CRL-1711) or the cell line BTI-TN-5b1-4 may be used. DNA encoding the TL2-Fc was cloned as an Eco RI-NotI fragment into the baculovirus transfer plasmid pVL1393. Plasmid DNA was recombined into viral DNA by mixing 3 μg of plasmid DNA with 0.5 μg of Baculo-Gold DNA (Pharminigen), followed by introduction into liposomes using 30 μg Lipofectin (GIBCO-BRL). DNA-liposome mixtures were added to SF-21AE cells (2×106 cells/60 mm dish) in TMN-FH medium (Modified Grace's Insect Cell Medium (GIBCO-BRL) for 5 hours at 27° C., followed by incubation at 27° C. for 5 days in TMN-FH medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum. Tissue culture medium was harvested for plaque purification of recombinant viruses, which was carried out using methods previously described (O'Reilly, D. R., L. K. Miller, and V. A. Luckow, Baculovirus Expression Vectors—A Laboratory Manual. 1992, New York: W.H. Freeman) except that the agarose overlay contained 125 mg/mL X-gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-b-D-galactopyranoside; GIBCO-BRL). After 5 days of incubation at 27° C., non-recombinant plaques were scored by positive chromogenic reaction to the X-gal substrate, and their positions marked. Recombinant plaques were then visualized by addition of a second overlay containing 100 mg/mL MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5,diphenyltetrazolium bromide; Sigma). Putative recombinant virus plaques were picked by plug aspiration, and purified by multiple rounds of plaque isolation to assure homogeneity. Virus stocks were generated by serial, low-multiplicity passage of plaque-purified virus. Low passage stocks of one virus clone (vTL2-Fc Clone #7) were produced.

SF-21AE cells were cultured in serum-free medium (SF-900 II, Gibco BRL) containing 1× antibiotic/antimycotic solution (Gibco BRL) and 25 mg/L Gentamycin (Gibco BRL). Pluronic F-68 was added as a surfactant to a final concentration of 1 g/L. Cultures (4 L) were raised in a bioreactor (Artisan Cell Station System) for at least three days prior to infection. Cells were grown at 27° C., with gassing to 50% dissolved oxygen, at a gas flow rate of 80 mL/min (aeration at a sparge ring). Agitation was by means of a marine impeller at a rate of 100 rpm. Cells were harvested in mid-logarithmic growth phase (˜2×10 6 cells/mL), concentrated by centrifugation, and infected with 5 plaque forming units of vTL2-Fc per cell. Cells and inoculum were brought to 400 mL with fresh medium, and virus was adsorbed for 2 hours at 27° C. in a spinner flask. The culture was then resuspended in a final volume of 8 L with fresh serum-free medium, and the cells incubated in the bioreactor using the previously described conditions.

Culture medium from vTL2-Fc-infected SF21AE cells were collected by centrifugation (500×g, 10 minutes) at 72 hours post-infection. Cell supernatants were brought to pH 8 with NaOH. EDTA was added to a final concentration of 10 mM and the supernatant pH was readjusted to 8. Supernatants were filtered (0.45 μm, Millipore) and loaded on a protein A column (protein A sepharose 4 fast flow or HiTrap protein A, both from Pharmacia). The column was washed with PBS containing 0.5 M NaCl until the absorbance at 280 nm decreased to baseline. The column was washed in PBS and eluted with 0.5 M acetic acid. Column fractions were immediately neutralized by eluting into tubes containing 1 M Tris pH 9. The peak fractions containing the TL2-Fc were pooled and dialyzed versus PBS.

EXAMPLE 5 The TIE Receptor/Ligand System in Angiogenesis

Although the TIE-2/TIE ligand system appears to play an important role in endothelial cell biology, it has not been shown to play a significant, active role in the early to intermediate stages of vascularization (e.g. angioblast or endothelial cell proliferation and migration, tubule formation, and other early stage events in vascular modeling). In contrast to the receptors and factors known to mediate these aspects of vascular development, the temporally late pattern of expression of TIE-2 and TL1 in the course of vascularization suggests that this system plays a distinct role in the latter stages vascular development, including the structural and functional differentiation and stabilization of new blood vessels. The pattern of expression of TIE-2/TL1 also is consistent with a continuing role in the maintenance of the structural integrity and/or physiological characteristics of an established vasculature.

TIE Ligand 2 (TL2) appears to be a competitive inhibitor of TL1. The spatiotemporal characteristics of TL2 expression suggest that this single inhibitory molecule may play multiple, context-dependent roles essential to appropriate vascular development or remodeling (e.g. de-stabilization/dedifferentiation of mature endothelial cells allowing the formation of new vessels from existing vasculature, inhibition of inappropriate blood vessel formation, and regression/involution of mature blood vessels). FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the hypothesized role of the TIE-2/TIE ligands in angiogenesis. In this figure TL1 is represented by (−), TL2 is represented by (*), TIE-2 is represented by (T), VEGF is represented by ([ ]), and flk-1 (a VEGF receptor) is represented by (Y).

EXAMPLE 6 Construction and Characterization of the CYS-TL1 Mutant

The TIE-2 ligands have two major structural domains, one described as a “coiled-coil” domain comprising the approximate C-terminal third of the protein and the other a “fibrinogen-like” domain comprising the approximate N-terminal two-thirds of the protein. Although the TIE-2 ligands, designated TL1 and TL2, share similar structural homology, they exhibit different physical and biological properties. Under non-reducing electrophoretic conditions, both proteins exhibit covalent, multimeric structures, with TL1 existing primarily as a trimer and TL2 existing primarily as a dimer. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of how the TIE-2 ligands may be interacting to form multimers. In terms of biological activity, TL1 has been shown to be an agonist of the TIE-2 receptor, as demonstrated by induction of phosphorylation in TIE-2 expressing cells. TL2, on the other hand, appears to be a competitive inhibitor of TL1. Investigations into what factors might be contributing to the different physical and biological properties of the two molecules revealed the presence of a cysteine residue (CYS265) preceding the fibrinogen-like domain in TL1 but absent in TL2. This CYS265 residue in TL1 is encoded by TGC and is located at about nucleotides 1102-1104 at the approximate junction between the coiled-coil and fibrinogen-like domains. Because cysteine residues are generally involved in disulfide bond formation, the presence of which can contribute to both the tertiary structure and biological properties of a molecule, it was thought that perhaps the presence of the CYS265 in TL1 might be at least partially responsible for the different properties of the two molecules. To test this hypothesis, an expression plasmid was constructed which contained a mutation in TL1 in which the CYS was replaced with an amino acid which does not form disulfide bonds. In addition to this TL1/CYS⁻ mutant, a second expression plasmid was constructed which mutated the corresponding position in TL2 so that this residue was now a cysteine. Both non-mutated and mutated expression plasmids of TL1 and TL2 were transiently transfected into COS cells. Cell supernatants containing the recombinant proteins were harvested and samples subjected to both reducing and non-reducing SDS/PAGE electrophoresis and subsequent western blotting. Western blots of both non-mutated and mutated TL1 and TL2 proteins revealed that the TL1/CYS⁻ mutant behaves more TL2-like in that it runs as a dimer and that the TL2/CYS+ mutant behaves more TL1-like in that it is able to form a trimer as well as higher-order multimers. Interestingly, when the two mutant proteins were tested for their ability to induce phosphorylation in TIE-2 expressing cells, the TL1/CYS⁻ mutant was able to activate the TIE-2 receptor, whereas the TL2/CYS⁺ mutant did not gain any activating activity.

EXAMPLE 7 Construction and Characterization of Fibrinogen-Like Domain Only Mutants

In order to test whether the fibrinogen-like domain (F-domain) of the TIE-2 ligands contained TIE-2 activating activity, expression plasmids were constructed which deleted the coiled-coil domain, leaving only that portion of the DNA sequence encoding the F-domain (beginning at about nucleotide 1159, amino acid residue ARG284). This mutant construct was transiently transfected into COS cells. The supernatant containing the recombinant protein was harvested. The TL1/F-domain mutant was tested for it's ability to bind the TIE-2 receptor. The results showed that, as a monomer, the TL1/F-domain mutant was not able to bind TIE-2 at a detectable level. However, when the TL1/F-domain monomer was myc-tagged and subsequently clustered with an antibody directed against the myc tag, it did exhibit detectable binding to TIE-2. However, the antibody-clustered TL1/F-domain mutant was not able to induce phosphorylation in a TIE-2 expressing cell line. FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the F-domain construct and its binding ability plus and minus antibody clustering.

EXAMPLE 8 A Receptorbody Binding Assay and a Ligand Binding and Competition Assay

A quantitative cell-free binding assay with two alternate formats has been developed for detecting either TIE-2 receptorbody binding or ligand binding and competition. In the receptorbody binding version of the assay, TIE-2 ligands (purified or partially purified; either TL1 or TL2) are coated onto an ELISA plate. Receptorbody at varying concentrations is then added, which binds to the immobilized ligand in a dose-dependent manner. At the end of 2 hours, excess receptorbody is washed away, then the amount bound to the plate is reported using a specific antihuman Fc antibody which is alkaline phosphatase tagged. Excess reporter antibody is washed away, then the AP reaction is developed using a colored substrate. The assay is quantitated using a spectrophotometer. FIG. 4 shows a typical TIE-2-IgG binding curve. This assay has been used to evaluate the integrity of TIE-2-IgG after injection into rats and mice. The assay can also be used in this format as a ligand competition assay, in which purified or partially-purified TIE ligands compete with immobilized ligand for receptorbody. In the ligand binding and competition version of the binding assay, TIE-2 ectodomain is coated onto the ELISA plate. The Fc-tagged fibrinogen-like domain fragments of the TIE ligands (TL1-fFc and TL2-fFc) then bind to the ectodomain, and can be detected using the same anti-human Fc antibody as described above. FIG. 5 shows an example of TL1-fFc binding to TIE-2 ectodomain. This version of the assay can also be used to quantitate levels of TL1-fFc in serum or other samples. If untagged ligand (again, either purified or unpurified) is added at the same time as the TL1-fFc, then a competition is set up between tagged ligand fragment and full-length ligand. The full-length ligand can displace the Fc-tagged fragment, and a competition curve is generated.

EXAMPLE 9 EA.hy926 Cell Line can be Used as a Reporter Cell Line for TIE Ligand Activity

EA.hy926 is a cell hybrid line that was established by fusion of HUVEC with the human lung carcinoma-derived line, A549 [Edgell, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 80, 3734-3737 (1983). EA.hy926 cells have been found to express significant levels of TIE-2 receptor protein with low basal phosphotyrosine levels. The density at which EA.hy926 cells are passaged prior to their use for receptor assays, as well as their degree of confluency at the time of assay, can affect TIE-2 receptor abundance and relative inducibility in response to treatment with ligand. By adopting the following regimen for growing these cells the EA.hy926 cell line can be used as a dependable system for assay of TIE-2 ligand activities.

EA.hy926 cells are seeded at 1.5×10⁶ cells in T-75 flasks (Falconware) and re-fed every other day with high-glucose Dulbecco's MEM, 10% fetal bovine serum, L-glutamine, penicillin-streptomycin, and 1× hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT, Gibco/BRL). After three to four days of growth, the cells are passaged once again at 1.5×10⁶ cells per T-75 flask and cultured an additional three to four days. For phosphorylation assays, cells prepared as described above were serum-starved by replacement of the culture medium with high-glucose DMEM and incubation for 2-3 hours at 37° C. This medium was aspirated from the flask and samples of conditioned media or purified ligand were added to the flask in a total volume of 1.5 ml followed by incubation at 37° C. for 5 minutes. Flasks were removed from the incubator and placed on a bed of ice. The medium was removed and replaced with 1.25 ml Lysis Buffer containing 1% nonidet P-40, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS in 20 mM Tris, pH 7.6, 150 mM NaCl, 50 mM NaF, 1 mM sodium orthovanadate, 5 mM benzamidine, and 1 mM EDTA containing the protease inhibitors PMSF, aprotinin, and leupeptin. After 10 minutes on ice to allow membrane solubilization, plates were scraped and cell lysates were clarified by microcentrifugation at top speed for 10 minutes at 4° C. TIE-2 receptor was immunoprecipitated from the clarified supernatant by incubation in the cold with an anti-TIE-2 polyclonal antiserum and Protein G-conjugated Sepharose beads. The beads were washed three times with cold cell lysis buffer and boiled 5 minutes in Laemmli sample buffer, which was then loaded on 7.5% SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Resolved proteins were electrotransferred to PVDF (Lamblia-P) membrane and then subjected to Western blot analysis using anti-phosphotyrosine antibody and the ECL reagent. Subsequent comparison of total TIE-2 protein levels on the same blots was done by stripping the anti-phosphotyrosine antibody and reincubating with a polyclonal antiserum specific to the ectodomain of TIE-2.

EXAMPLE 10 Isolation and Sequencing of Full Length cDNA Clone Encoding Mammalian TIE Ligand-3

TIE ligand-3 (TL3) was cloned from a mouse BAC genomic library (Research Genetics) by hybridizing library duplicates, with either mouse TL1 or mouse TL2 probes corresponding to the entire coding sequence of those genes. Each copy of the library was hybridized using phosphate buffer at 55° C. overnight. After hybridization, the filters were washed using 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 60° C., followed by exposure of X ray film to the filters. Strong hybridization signals were identified corresponding to mouse TL1 and mouse TL2. In addition, signals were identified which weakly hybridized to both mouse TL1 and mouse TL2. DNA corresponding to these clones was purified, then digested with restriction enzymes, and two fragments which hybridized to the original probes were subcloned into a bacterial plasmid and sequenced. The sequence of the fragments contained two exons with homology to both mouse TL1 and mouse TL2. Primers specific for these sequences were used as PCR primers to identify tissues containing transcripts corresponding to TL3. A PCR band corresponding to TL3 was identified in a mouse uterus cDNA library in lambda gt-11. (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.).

Plaques were plated at a density of 1.25×10⁶/20×20 cm plate and replica filters taken following standard procedures (Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., page 8.46, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). Duplicate filters were screened at “normal” stringency (2×SSC, 65° C.) with a 200 bp PCR radioactive probe made to the mouse TL3 sequence. Hybridization was at 65° C. in a solution containing 0.5 mg/ml salmon sperm DNA. Filters were washed in 2×SSC at 65° C. and exposed for 6 hours to X-ray film. Two positive clones that hybridized in duplicate were picked. EcoRI digestion of phage DNA obtained from these clones indicated two independent clones with insert sizes of approximately 1.2 kb and approximately 2.2 kb. The 2.2 kb EcoRI insert was subcloned into the EcoRI site of pBluescript KS (Stratagene). Sequence analysis showed that the longer clone was lacking an initiator methionine and signal peptide but otherwise encoded a probe homologous to both mouse TL1 and mouse TL2.

Two TL3-specific PCR primers were then synthesized as follows:

-   US2: cctctgggctcgccagtttgttagg (SEQ ID NO: 10) -   US1: ccagctggcagatatcagg (SEQ ID NO: 11)

The following PCR reactions were performed using expression libraries derived from the mouse cell lines C2C12ras and MG87. In the primary PCR reaction, the specific primer US2 was used in conjunction with vector-specific oligos to allow amplification in either orientation. PCR was in a total volume of 100 ml using 35 cycles of 94° C., 1 min; 42° C. or 48° C. for 1 min; 72° C., 1 min. The secondary PCR reaction included the second specific primer, US1, which is contained within the primary PCR product, in conjunction with the same vector oligos. The secondary reactions were for 30 cycles, using the same temperatures and times as previous. PCR products were gel isolated and submitted for sequence analysis. On the basis of sequences obtained from a total of four independent PCR reactions using two different cDNA libraries, the 5′ end of the TL3 sequence was deduced. Northern analysis revealed moderate to low levels of mouse TL3 transcript in mouse placenta. The expression of mouse TL3 consisted of a transcript of approximately 3 kb. The full length TL3 coding sequence is set forth in FIGS. 6A-6B (SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 2).

The mouse TL3 sequence may then be used to obtain a human clone containing the coding sequence of its human counterpart by hybridizing either a human genomic or cDNA library with a probe corresponding to mouse TL3 as has been described previously, for example, in Example 8 in International Publication No. WO 96/31598 published Oct. 10, 1996.

EXAMPLE 11 Isolation of Full Length Genomic Clone Encoding Human TIE Ligand-4

TIE ligand-4 (TL4) was cloned from a mouse BAC genomic library (BAC HUMAN (II), Genome Systems Inc.) by hybridizing library duplicates, with either a human TL1 radioactive probe corresponding to the entire fibrinogen coding sequence of TL1 (nucleotides 1153 to 1806) or a mouse TL3 radioactive probe corresponding to a segment of 186 nucleotides from the fibrinogen region of mouse TL3 (nucleotides 1307 to 1492 of FIGS. 6A-6B). Each probe was labeled by PCR using exact oligonucleotides and standard PCR conditions, except that dCTP was replaced by P³²dCTP. The PCR mixture was then passed through a gel filtration column to separate the probe from free P³² dCTP. Each copy of the library was hybridized using phosphate buffer, and radiactive probe at 55° C. overnight using standard hybridization conditions. After hybridization, the filters were washed using 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 55° C., followed by exposure of X ray film. Strong hybridization signals were observed corresponding to human TL1. In addition, signals were identified which weakly hybridized to both human TL1 and mouse TL3. DNA corresponding to these clones was purified using standard procedures, then digested with restriction enzymes, and one fragment which hybridized to the original probes was subcloned into a bacterial plasmid and sequenced. The sequence of the fragments contained one exon with homology to both human TL1 and mouse TL3 and other members of the TIE ligand family. Primers specific for these sequences may be used as PCR primers to identify tissues containing transcripts corresponding to TL4.

The complete sequence of human TL4 may be obtained by sequencing the full BAC clone contained in the deposited bacterial cells. Exons may be identified by homology to known members of the TIE-ligand family such as TL1, TL2 and TL3. The full coding sequence of TL4 may then be determined by splicing together the exons from the TL4 genomic clone which, in turn, may be used to produce the TL4 protein. Alternatively, the exons may be used as probes to obtain a full length cDNA clone, which may then be used to produce the TL4 protein. Exons may also be identified from the BAC clone sequence by homology to protein domains such as fibrinogen domains, coiled coil domains, or protein signals such as signal peptide sequences. Missing exons from the BAC clone may be obtained by identification of contiguous BAC clones, for example, by using the ends of the deposited BAC clone as probes to screen a human genomic library such as the one used herein, by using the exon sequence contained in the BAC clone to screen a cDNA library, or by performing either 5′ or 3′ RACE procedure using oligonucleotide primers based on the TL4 exon sequences.

Identification of Additional TIE Ligand Family Members

The novel TIE ligand-4 sequence may be used in a rational search for additional members of the TIE ligand family using an approach that takes advantage of the existence of conserved segments of strong homology between the known family members. For example, an alignment of the amino acid sequences of the TIE ligands shows several regions of conserved sequence (see underlined regions of FIG. 7 [SEQ ID NOS: 3-8]). Degenerate oligonucleotides essentially based on these boxes in combination with either previously known or novel TIE ligand homology segments may be used to identify new TIE ligands.

The highly conserved regions among TL1, TL2 and TL3 may be used in designing degenerate oligonucleotide primers with which to prime PCR reactions using cDNAs. cDNA templates may be generated by reverse transcription of tissue RNAs using oligo d(T) or other appropriate primers. Aliquots of the PCR reactions may then be subjected to electrophoresis on an agarose gel. Resulting amplified DNA fragments may be cloned by insertion into plasmids, sequenced and the DNA sequences compared with those of all known TIE ligands.

Size-selected amplified DNA fragments from these PCR reactions may be cloned into plasmids, introduced into E. coli by electroporation, and transformants plated on selective agar. Bacterial colonies from PCR transformation may be analyzed by sequencing of plasmid DNAs that are purified by standard plasmid procedures.

Cloned fragments containing a segment of a novel TIE ligand may be used as hybridization probes to obtain full length cDNA clones from a cDNA library. For example, the human TL4 genomic sequence may be used to obtain a human cDNA clone containing the complete coding sequence of human TL4 by hybridizing a human cDNA library with a probe corresponding to human TL4 as has been described previously.

EXAMPLE 12 Cloning of the Full Coding Sequence of hTL4

Both 5′ and 3′ coding sequence from the genomic human TL-4 clone encoding human TIE ligand-4 (fTL-4 ATCC Accession No. 98095) was obtained by restriction enzyme digestion, Southern blotting and hybridization of the hTL-4 clone to coding sequences from mouse TL3, followed by subcloning and sequencing the hybridizing fragments. Coding sequences corresponding to the N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids of hTL4 were used to design PCR primers (shown below), which in turn were used for PCR amplification of TL4 from human ovary cDNA. A PCR band was identified as corresponding to human TL4 by DNA sequencing using the ABI 373A DNA sequencer and Taq Dideoxy Terminator Cycle Sequencing Kit (applied Biosystems, Inc., Foster City, Calif.). The PCR band was then subcloned into vector pCR-script and several plasmid clones were analyzed by sequencing. The complete human TL4 coding sequence was then compiled and is shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. (SEQ ID NO: 9 and 4). In another embodiment of the invention, the nucleotide at position 569 is changed from A to G, resulting in an amino acid change from Q to R.

The PCR primers used as described above were designed as follows:

-   hTL4atg 5′-gcatgctatctcgagccaccATGCTCTCCCAGCTAGCCATGCTGCAG-3′ (SEQ     ID NO: 12) -   hTL4not     5′-gtgtcgacgcggccgctctagatcagacTTAGATGTCCAAAGGCCGTATCATCAT-3′ (SEQ     ID NO: 13) -   hTL4not     5′-gtgtcgacgcggccgctctagatcagacTTAGATGTCCAAAGGCCGTATCATCAT-3′

Lowercase letters indicate “tail” sequences added to the PCR primers to facilitate cloning of the amplified PCR fragments.

DEPOSITS

The following have been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 in accordance with the Budapest treaty. Recombinant Autoarapha California baculovirus encoding TIE-2 receptorbody was deposited with the ATCC on Oct. 7, 1994 and designated as “vTIE-2 receptorbody” under ATCC Accession No. VR2484. E. coli strain DH10B containing plasmid pBeLoBac11 with a human TL-4 gene insert encoding human TIE ligand-4 was deposited with the ATCC on Jul. 2, 1996 and designated as “hTL-4” under ATCC Accession No. 98095.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. Isolated TIE ligand-4 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 substantially free of other proteins.
 2. Isolated TIE ligand-4 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: a) the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9; b) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes in phosphate buffer at 55° C. overnight or in 2×SSC at 65° C. to a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to the nucleotide sequence of (a); and c) a nucleotide sequence that, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, differs from the sequence of (a) or (b) and which encodes TIE ligand-4 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 3. A conjugate comprising a ligand of claim 1 or 2 conjugated to a cytotoxic agent.
 4. A conjugate according to claim 3 wherein the cytotoxic agent is a radioisotope or toxin.
 5. A composition comprising the ligand of claim 1 or 2 and a carrier.
 6. A composition comprising the conjugate of claim 3 and a carrier.
 7. A composition comprising the conjugate of claim 4 and a carrier. 